Connector device

Abstract

A lever of a connector can rotate between a first position and a second position and can slide between the second position and a third position. When the lever is rotated to the second position in a state in which the connector whose lever is on the first position is on a fitting preparation position with respect to a mating connector, the connector is drawn to a fitting position, which is closer to the mating connector, by a cam mechanism and a main terminal of the connector and a mating main terminal of the mating connector are connected with each other. When the lever is slid to the third position, a flange portion provided to a housing of the connector and a mating flange portion provided to a mating housing of the mating connector are accommodated in a groove portion of the lever.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector device comprising:
 a connector that includes a housing, a lever, and a main terminal; and 
 a mating connector that includes a mating housing and a mating main terminal, wherein 
 a guide groove is formed on one of the lever and the housing and a guide shaft is formed on an other, 
 the lever is attached to the housing so that the guide shaft is positioned on the guide groove and the lever is thereby capable of rotating between a first position and a second position and sliding between the second position and a third position, the first position, the second position and the third position being positions for the lever to take with respect to the housing, 
 one of a cam groove and a driven boss, the cam groove and the driven boss constituting a cam mechanism, is formed on the lever and the other is formed on the mating housing, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the first position is on a fitting preparation position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the second position causes the connector to be drawn to a fitting position by the cam mechanism, the fitting position being closer to the mating connector than the fitting preparation position, connecting the main terminal and the mating main terminal with each other by time when the lever reaches at least the second position, and 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the second position is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the first position causes the connector to be pushed back to the fitting preparation position by the cam mechanism, releasing a connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal; and wherein 
 the housing includes a flange portion, 
 the mating housing includes a mating flange portion, 
 the lever includes a groove portion that extends in a direction of the sliding, 
 when the lever of the connector that is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector is slid from the second position to the third position, the flange portion and the mating flange portion are accommodated in the groove portion in a manner to be in close contact with each other and thereby are held by the lever, and 
 when the lever of the connector that is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector is slid from the third position to the second position, holding of the flange portion and the mating, flange portion by the lever is released. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the lever includes a pair of arm portions sandwiching the housing and the pair of arm portions is attached to the housing, the pair of arm portions having their distal ends and proximal portions respectively; 
 four pieces of the groove portions are provided at each of the distal ends and each of the proximal portions of the pair of arm portions, respectively, and 
 four pieces of the flange portions are provided to the housing and four pieces of the mating flange portions are provided to the mating housing, the four pieces of the flange portions and the four pieces of the mating flange portions being configured to be accommodated in the four pieces of the groove portions, respectively. 
 
     
     
       3. The connector device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a cross section orthogonal to the direction of the sliding of each of the flange portion, the mating flange portion, and the groove portion, in a state in which the connector is positioned on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector, has a thickness which increases toward a direction away from the housing and the mating housing in which the flange portion and the mating flange portion protrude. 
 
     
     
       4. The connector device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 a cross section orthogonal to the direction of the sliding of each of the flange portion, the mating flange portion, and the groove portion, in a state in which the connector is positioned on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector, has a thickness which increases toward a direction away from the housing and the mating housing in which the flange portion and the mating flange portion protrude. 
 
     
     
       5. The connector device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the connector includes an interlock terminal, and 
 the mating connector includes a mating interlock terminal; and wherein 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the first position is on the fitting preparation position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position causes the connector to move to a main-terminal contact starting position between the fitting preparation position and the fitting position to connect the main terminal and the mating main terminal with each other, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the intermediate position is on the main-terminal contact starting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the second position causes the connector to move to the fitting position, connecting the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal with each other in a state in which a connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal is maintained, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the second position is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the intermediate position causes the connector to move to the main-terminal contact starting position apart from the fining position, wherein a departure of the connector from the fitting position causes a release of a connection between the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal in a state in which the connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal is maintained, and 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the intermediate position is on the main-terminal contact starting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the first position causes the connector to move to the fitting preparation position, wherein a departure of the connector from the main-terminal contact starting position causes a release of the connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal. 
 
     
     
       6. The connector device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the connector includes an interlock terminal, and 
 the mating connector includes z mating interlock terminal; and wherein 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the first position is on the fitting: preparation position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position causes the connector to move to a main-terminal contact starting position between the fitting preparation position and the fitting position to connect the main terminal and the mating, main terminal with each other, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the intermediate position is on the main-terminal contact starting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the second position causes the connector to move to the fitting position, connecting the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal with each other in a state in which a connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal is maintained, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the second position is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the intermediate position causes the connector to move to the main-terminal contact starting position apart from the fitting position, wherein a departure of the connector from the fitting position causes a release of a connection between the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal in a state in which the connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal is maintained, and 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the intermediate position is on the main-terminal contact starting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the first position causes the connector to move to the fitting preparation position, wherein a departure of the connector from the main-terminal contact starting position causes a release of the connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal. 
 
     
     
       7. The connector device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the connector includes an interlock terminal, and 
 the mating connector includes a mating interlock terminal; and wherein 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the first position is on the fitting preparation position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position causes the connector to move to a main-terminal contact starting position between the fitting preparation position and the fitting position to connect the main terminal and the mating main terminal with each other, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the intermediate position is on the main-terminal contact starting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the second position causes the connector to move to the fitting position, connecting the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal with each other in a state in which a connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal is maintained, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the second position is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the intermediate position causes the connector to move to the main-terminal contact starting position apart from the fitting position, wherein a departure of the connector from the fitting position causes a release of a connection between the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal in a state in which the connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal is maintained, and 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the intermediate position is on the main-terminal contact starting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the first position causes the connector to move to the fitting preparation position, wherein a departure of the connector from the main-terminal contact starting position causes a release of the connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal. 
 
     
     
       8. The connector device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the connector includes an interlock terminal, and 
 the mating connector includes a mating interlock terminal; and wherein 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the first position is on the fitting preparation position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position causes the connector to move to a main-terminal contact starting position between the fitting preparation position and the fitting position to connect the main terminal and the mating main terminal with each other, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the intermediate position is on the main-terminal contact starting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the second position causes the connector to move to the fitting position, connecting the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal with each other in a state in which a connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal is maintained, 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the second position is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the intermediate position causes the connector to move to the main-terminal contact starting position apart from the fitting position, wherein a departure of the connector from the fitting position causes a release of a connection between the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal in a state in which the connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal is maintained, and 
 when the connector of which the lever is on the intermediate position is on the main-terminal contact starting position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever to the first position causes the connector to move to the fining preparation position, wherein a departure of the connector from the main-terminal contact starting position causes a release of the connection between the main terminal and the mating main terminal. 
 
     
     
       9. The connector device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the connector includes an interlock housing and an interlock terminal, 
 the mating connector includes a mating interlock terminal, 
 the interlock terminal is attached to the interlock housing, 
 the interlock housing is formed with a spring piece, the spring piece having a protrusion portion on an end thereof, the protrusion portion protruding outward of the interlock housing, such that the protrusion portion is displaced from a natural position to a retracted position when the protrusion portion is pressed, 
 the lever is provided with a pressing portion, 
 the housing is provided with an abutting surface, and 
 the interlock housing is attached to the housing so that the interlock housing is capable of sliding between an opening position and a closing position, the opening position and the closing position being positions for the interlock housing to take, wherein the interlock housing on the opening position is blocked from sliding to the closing position by an abutment of the protrusion position on the abutting surface when the protrusion portion is on the natural position, and is permitted to slide to the closing position when the protrusion portion is on the retracted position; and wherein 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is on the opening position, the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually disconnected, 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is on the closing position, the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually connected, 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is on the second position, the protrusion portion is on the natural position, and 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is on the third position, the protrusion portion is pressed by the pressing portion of the lever to be positioned on the retracted position. 
 
     
     
       10. The connector device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the connector includes an interlock housing and an interlock terminal, 
 the mating connector includes a mating interlock terminal, 
 the interlock terminal is attached to the interlock housing, 
 the interlock housing is formed with a spring piece, the spring piece having a protrusion portion on an end thereof, the protrusion portion protruding outward of the interlock housing, such that the protrusion portion is displaced from a natural position to a retracted position when the protrusion portion is pressed, 
 the lever is provided with a pressing portion, 
 the housing is provided with an abutting surface, and 
 the interlock housing is attached to the housing so that the interlock housing is capable of sliding between an opening position and a closing position, the opening position and the closing position being positions for the interlock housing to take, wherein the interlock housing on the opening position is blocked from sliding to the closing position by an abutment of the protrusion position on the abutting surface when the protrusion portion is on the natural position, and is permitted to slide to the closing position when the protrusion portion is on the retracted position; and wherein 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is on the opening position, the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually disconnected, 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is on the closing position, the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually connected, 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is on the second position, the protrusion portion is on the natural position, and 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is on the third position, the protrusion portion is pressed by the pressing portion of the lever to be positioned on the retracted position. 
 
     
     
       11. The connector device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the connector includes an interlock housing and an interlock terminal, 
 the mating connector includes a mating interlock terminal, 
 the interlock terminal is attached to the interlock housing, 
 the interlock housing is formed with a spring piece, the spring piece having a protrusion portion on an end thereof, the protrusion portion protruding outward of the interlock housing, such that the protrusion portion is displaced from a natural position to a retracted position when the protrusion portion is pressed, 
 the lever is provided with a pressing portion, 
 the housing is provided with an abutting surface, and 
 the interlock housing is attached to the housing so that the interlock housing is capable of sliding between an opening position and a closing position, the opening position and the closing position being positions for the interlock housing to take, wherein the interlock housing on the opening position is blocked from sliding to the closing position by an abutment of the protrusion position on the abutting surface when the protrusion portion is on the natural position, and is permitted to slide to the closing position when the protrusion portion is on the retracted position; and wherein 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is on the opening position, the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually disconnected, 
 when the connector is on the fitting, position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is on the closing position, the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually connected, 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is on the second position, the protrusion portion is on the natural position, and 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is on the third position, the protrusion portion is pressed by the pressing portion of the lever to be positioned on the retracted position. 
 
     
     
       12. The connector device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the connector includes an interlock housing and an interlock terminal, 
 the mating connector includes a mating interlock terminal, 
 the interlock terminal is attached to the interlock housing, 
 the interlock housing is formed with a spring piece, the spring piece having a protrusion portion on an end thereof, the protrusion portion protruding outward of the interlock housing, such that the protrusion portion is displaced from a natural position to a retracted position when the protrusion portion is pressed, 
 the lever is provided with a pressing portion, 
 the housing is provided with an abutting surface, and 
 the interlock housing is attached to the housing so that the interlock housing is capable of sliding between an opening position and a closing position, the opening position and the closing position being positions for the interlock housing to take, wherein the interlock housing on the opening position is blocked from sliding to the closing position by an abutment of the protrusion position on the abutting surface when the protrusion portion is on the natural position, and is permitted to slide to the closing position when the protrusion portion is on the retracted position; and wherein 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is on the opening position, the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually disconnected, 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is on the closing position, the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually connected, 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is on the second position, the protrusion portion is on the natural position, and 
 when the connector is on the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is on the third position, the protrusion portion is pressed by the pressing portion of the lever to be positioned on the retracted position.